Defensive Player Quotes from Orlando, Fla.
12/27/1998 12:00:00 AM | Football
Michigan Football Comments from
CompUSA Florida Citrus Bowl Trip
Player quotes (defense) in Orlando, Fla.
Senior Linebacker Sam Sword
On Arkansas ...
"We are very unsure what type of offense they are going to throw at us, so that is going to be hard. All we can do is go by what we have seen on film. We have been very impressed by the type of offense that we've seen on film. On the same token, we have the opportunity to put in a few new defenses that they haven't seen before."
How much do you change your base defense around your opponent for that game
"Essentially it's the same defense with a few new wrinkles. We will put a twist here or a twist there, dependent on the team that we are facing. It all depends upon what we feel they are going to throw at us."
On having a month between games ...
"It can be both good and bad. It all depends upon the type of team that you have. Everyone on our team knows that you have to stay in shape. We can't be here to have a lot of fun and forget about the ball game. If you lose focus on the football game, it can hurt you. Our goal is to be the best conditioned team on Jan. 1. Hopefully this month will be good for us."
On his approach to football ...
"I try and give my all on the field. Whenever I take the field, I want to give 110 percent. I like the physical style of football and when I look at Arkansas' offense, they remind me of our offense. They want to establish the run first and that is going to be a great challenge for myself and the rest of the defense. Our goal is to go out and stop what they are attempting to sustain. We need to take them out of their offense."
On getting acclimated to the heat and two-a-days again ...
"It was difficult at the beginning getting adjusting to the heat. We experienced a lot of cramping, which forced us to drink a lot of water. Our reason for coming down early was to get adjusted and I don't think the heat is going to be a factor now."
How frustrating were the first couple of games for you, fighting through injuries
"It was very frustrating for me. I left the Notre Dame game with dehydration problems and what we thought was an MCL sprain. It took me a few weeks to get back to full speed. As a senior, I wanted to come back and have my best season. It got off to a rough start but by the grace of God, I bounced back and finished with the type of season that I expected to have. The main thing is not being able to go full speed and not being able to be out there with your teammates who you went through all the battles. From that aspect, I felt like I let the team down but that was something that I couldn't control."
On playing for Michigan ...
"Anytime you play for Michigan, everybody wants to beat you. Every school we play I'm sure puts a big red mark next to our game. It is always a big game on everyone else's schedule. It feels good from that aspect -- that everybody looks to our game as their biggest of the season -- because we know that we must play our best game every week. I wouldn't have it any other way. I would rather play where we are hunted then play someplace else where they can only get up for a few games every year. We have to get up for every game."
What do you think will decide the outcome of this Arkansas game
"I think the team that makes the fewest mistakes will be the most successful. I see this as a game that will go down the fourth quarter with one of the defenses needing to make a stand. I would love to be in that situation -- our defense on the field making a big play to win the football game."
On his style of leadership ...
"I just want to focus on what I need to do. Being in the newspaper and on television is something that I leave to the other guys. I just want to lead the best way that I can and for me that means setting a good example. I like to go out and just show with my play on the field.
"I don't put much emphasis on that. I just come out and do the things that Coach Herrmann taught me to do. One of those things is to not be selfish. I would rather have two tackles and win a game than make 15 stops and lose. It's a team game and I have a great group of guys around me and I know they are going to get the job done."
When are you having the most fun in a game (when it's close or you're leading by a bunch)
"A big lead is great but I like the close games when one play is critical to the outcome. It tells you a lot about the character of a team in close games."
Junior Nose Tackle Rob Renes
On Arkansas' offense ...
"They are a very good team. Arkansas is very explosive. Quarterback Clint Stoerner makes very few mistakes and when he does they are minimal. The offensive line is loaded with experience and a lot of good players. It is going to be a real challenge for us -- if not the best of the year, it will be right up there."
On impressions of Coach Lloyd Carr ...
"He is the epitome of what I think a Michigan coach should be. Growing up I was a big Michigan fan and always dreamed of playing for Coach Bo Schembechler. When I got older and was recruited by Gary Moeller, I was excited to come to Michigan. I didn't know what to expect when I got to Michigan and had Coach Carr as the first-year head coach. The last four years I have played under Coach Carr, saw the type of players that he has recruited and looked at the coaches that he selected to be a part of his staff. Through and through he is a Michigan man and does everything to put Michigan first. He addresses us as men and brings us into the program to teach us that in all our endeavours that we grow up to be the best men that we can be."
Do you believe that a team carries the identity of its coach
"Absolutely. As a whole, the Michigan teams over the last four years have continued to get stronger as Coach Carr's tenure grows. We respect him and I think we want to emulate him. We want to have the same integrity, strength, focus and desire to win as Coach Carr does not only for ourselves but our families. When you've been here long enough, you want to win for Michigan."
What one word would you use to describe Coach Carr
"Intense."
Has preparation been different for playing an SEC team compared to a Big Ten school
"No. Coach Carr attacks every game plan and team with the same motivation and drive. He carefully observes and studies each opponent. He sticks to everything he does. Through our eyes, everything is done the same way and with the sameness of purpose. I think it's a reflection on the Michigan program that when we go out that everything is done full speed and with focus. It carries on from the season opener to the bowl game. We want to finish the season with the best effort that we can derive. That's the way Coach Carr looks at this bowl trip and that's the way he expects us to treat it."
On Sam Sword ...
"Sam Sword will finish his career this season, a very good one. The two years that I've been fortunate enough to start, Sam has always been behind me in that middle linebacker position. He is a real team leader and I think a role model in the respect that he was hurt by injuries but came back and really stepped up his game. To be the leading tackler for the third straight year just doesn't happen. I think that typifies the type of player Sam is. Through film study, the intensity he practices with and the way he tries to help teach the younger players, Sam learns from his own teachings. Sam has been a real icon for the Michigan defense the last few years. He is the huddle captain who calls all of the plays for us but otherwise leads through his play on the field. I know I'll really miss him next year."
On a 10-win season ...
"Even though it may seem that there is only a one-game difference between a 9-4 season and a 10-3 season, there is no doubt in our minds as a Michigan family that there is a world of difference. I have been here for two four-loss seasons and no one remembers how many wins you had. For a lot of programs, nine wins would be a tremendous season, but for Michigan we want 10 wins. We didn't come here to have four losses, we came to win 10 games. You come to expect, as a Michigan player, to win 10 games."
Why do you use the words "Michigan" and "family" together
"Because that's what we are, a family. Coach Carr is the head of the Michigan football family just like Mr. Tom Goss is the head of the Michigan Athletic Department family. I can honestly say that I spend more time each day with these guys than I probably would have if I had a brother. My roomate is Josh Williams and we spend a lot of time together and I spend more time with Coach (Brady) Hoke and Coach (Lloyd) Carr than I have with my father over the last four years. I am really close with my family back home so that just goes to show you that when you spend that much time together that you become dependent on members of the Michigan football famiily."
Senior Cornerback Andre Weathers
On Arkansas' receivers ...
"They are very good. They are able to make big catches. They run good routes, are fast and have the capability to make key plays. The group of players contains all-around athletes."
How has life been adjusting without Charles Woodson
"It took some getting used to. Year by year there are changes and you have to become adjusted to it because it's just part of the game.
On his desire to be in Pasadena rather than this bowl or any other ...
"Actually, I would rather be here. It's much hotter. Being in the Big Ten you always want to go to the Rose Bowl. That's your goal every year because that's the conference's biggest bowl game."
How would you compare this year's secondary to last year's
"Actually, we have many of the same players back there. Unfortunately, we had a few incidents that disrupted the chemistry of the secondary. We are coming together and look to the bowl game to put things together. Once you get used to playing with someone and a circumstance alters the lineup and a new player is put into the lineup, it takes time to build chemistry again. You need to get used to the style of play of those around you."
What is senior safety Marcus Ray's style of play
"He is aggressive and plays smart."
Are you looking to this game to redeem your group's play in the Ohio State game
"Yes. We had a breakdown, anything that could have gone wrong did go wrong. We have stressed coming into this game that we don't want that type of thing to happen again. We look to get better not redeem our play from the Ohio State game, though. 'Get better' is a proper word for what we need to do in this game against Arkansas, not redeem our play from the Ohio State game."
On Arkansas quarterback Clint Stoerner ...
"He gives them a chance to get to the ball and make plays. Any time you can do that, it's good. He has confidence in them to make plays."
Is there any sense of the great unknown playing Arkansas for the first time
"Arkansas plays like a Big Ten team in that they like to run the football. Schools in the Big Ten like to run the football and Arkansas likes to establish a running game. I am looking forward to a smash-mouth football game. Arkansas has a lot of team speed but they like to build their game around the run."
What are your thoughts on Coach Carr
"He is a great guy. Coach Carr is always in your corner. He has to be a coach but off the field you can talk to him about other things and he'll listen. He is the type of guy that you like to have on your side."
Do you think the team reflects his personality
"Yes. I think over a period of time you begin to take on the personality of the head coach. He has us reading a lot and these are things that you can apply both to football and your everyday life. Coach Carr likes to read everything -- he always comes up with a new quote or saying that he can use to stress a point."
Contact: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
